Pope Francis: For Hispanic Catholics in US, a Rush of Joy and Optimism

Pope Francis: For Hispanic Catholics in US, a Rush of Joy and Optimism

Article excerpt

Hispanic Catholics in the United States reacted with jubilant
optimism Wednesday to news of the worlds first Latin American pope,
saying they hoped he might use his background to help mend rifts and
surmount challenges that hamper their communities, the church, and
the world.

On a basic level, they celebrated the fact that Pope Francis I,
formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, shares aspects
of their backgrounds and could, it seems, be their father or
grandfather.

Hes one of our own, says Rosendo Urrabazo, the Chicago-based
provincial superior for the Claretian Missionaries, a Catholic order
of priests and brothers. Somebody with a Hispanic last name and
whose mother tongue is Spanish that touches peoples hearts.

Francis I will be endearing, too, Rev. Urrabazo says. He met the
man in Buenos Aires, where then-Archbishop Bergoglio rode the bus to
work every day and answered the door to the chancery himself.

Others say they hope to see such unpretentiousness in the new
pope because todays challenges require a leader who relates to
ordinary people. That includes Hispanic Catholics, who comprise
nearly half the churchs global membership of 1.2 billion.

Consider young adults. A Gallup survey released in February found
that Hispanics in America, especially those under age 30, are
increasingly unlikely to identify as Catholic. But having a Latin
American atop the church hierarchy could help young Hispanics feel
that they belong, according to Lily Morales, who coordinates events
for young adult Hispanics in the Diocese of Austin.

We really wanted someone [in the papacy] who could represent the
American continents, Ms. Morales says. …